All bars, pubs and restaurants in Oslo are smoke-free, which means you have to go outside to smoke. But since you can't drink on the street, you have to leave your drink inside, unless the bar/pub has a designated drink-area which is still open (they always close earlier than the venues themselves).
Oslo is generally expensive. The price for a half-litre of beer is typically ranging from 58-70 NOK. Closing hours are as late as to 03:30 in city center. National legislation says you can't serve any alcohol after 03:00.
Areas with notable pub density are Grünerløkka (tram 11-12-13 to Nybrua, Schous plass, Olaf Ryes plass or Birkelunden), Aker Brygge (tram 12 to Aker Brygge or bus 21-32-33-54 to Vika Atrium or Bryggetorget), Solli/Frogner (tram 12-13 or bus 30-31 to Solli), Grønland (T-bane to Grønland, bus 37 to Tøyengata or bus 60 to Norbygata) and the city centre especially Youngstorget or Grensen.
Andy's Pub, Stortingsgata 8 (T-bane Stortinget, tram 13-19 to Wessels plass/Nathionaltheateret, bus 31-32-33-54-70 stop nearby), . Shows most football matches on LCD TVs. �
Bar Boca, Thorvald Meyers Gate 30 Gruenerlokka. The teeny-weeny Bar Boca is the place to go in Oslo if you fancy an innovative and memorable cocktail. Owner Jan Vardøen has become something of a local legend for his mixing skills and his intimate little bar has become a destination for those serious about their drink. This warm cozy bar, with its low-key 1950s décor, may be matchbox sized, with just five tables, but it's the drinks that rule here and they won't let you down. �
Beer Palace, Holmens Gate 3 (Aker Brygge), . A popular pub with fair selection of Norwegian and foreign beers. In addition to enjoying good beer it's possible to play darts and get a slice of pizza. Every Monday an international beer course is held here by Ølakademiet . �
Blå, (in the artsy/alternative place close to Akerselva called Hausmania), . Be sure to check their event calendar, every week they have concerts with a variety of international and norwegian bands and/or DJs. Walk up the river from the centre and you'll find it. Old factory style houses with lots of grafitti. �
Bohemen (“the Bohemian”), Arbeidergata 2 (T-bane Stortinget, tram 11-17-18 or bus 33-70 to Prof. Aschehougs plass/Tinghuset), ☎ +47-22416266, . The best place to watch football (soccer) and sports in general, and to have a cheapish beer. Official Vålerenga supporter pub. �
Café Arté, St. Olavs gate 7 (Tram 11-17-18 to Tullinløkka or bus 37 to Nordahl Bruns gate), . Lovely cafe serving beer, wine, drinks and small dishes in a intimate cellar cafe with a continental touch. An artist hangout with a small and hidden backyard. The only cafe that offers you a feeling of being abroad while relaxing in the heart of Oslo.500ml beer: NOK 52. �
Cafe Fiasco, Schweigaards gate 4 (next to the train station), . Classy place that is not expensive at all. Also has live music and DJs with NOK70 cover charge.Beer: NOK 50. �
Cafe Sara, corner of Torggata and Hausmanns gate. (Bus 34-54 to Jacobs kirke), . Conveniently close to Anker Hostel, Cafe Sara pours beer and dishes up tasty Turkish and Mexican dishes for not too much money. Great outdoor seating. Very nice pub with a great atmosphere and well known for its cheap but great food. �
Cafe Stolen, Helgesens gate by Sofienberg park (Tram 11-12-13 to Olaf Ryes plass). Indian cuisine and cheap beer in an informal setting. No name on the door, just a chair hanging from above the door (hence the name 'the chair'). �
Champagneria, Frognerveien. (Tram 12-13 or bus 21-30-31 to Solli/Lapsetorvet.), . Spanish cava and tapas bar, fairly cheap and enjoyable. �
Choice Pub, ønlandsleiret (T-Grønland). A rowdy bar with very cheap beer. Popular with the locals.Beer: NOK 39. �
Dubliner, Rådhusgata (Tram 12 to Christiania torv). A nice Irish pub a little off Karl Johans gate, does a good fish and chips (and a few rounds of Guinness with which to wash it down). In Norway: Good fish? Always! Good chips? Never! Except maybe here. �
Dr. Jekylls Pub, Klingenbergg 4, . 15-03. Whisky bar with wide selection. over 500 whiskies and several fantastic rums and over 60 beers on bottle. �
Elm Street, Dronningsgate 32, . Popular rock/metal bar that serves a decent burger. Often concerts in the weekends. �
Fyret Mat & Drikke, Youngstorget 6, . Intimate and lively pub and resturaunt which serves unpretentious, good food. They have an outstanding collection of akevitt (akvavit), the scandinavian potato spirit that you should check out, though you won't necessary love it unconditionally. �
Gloria Flames, Grønland 18, . Popular and hip rock/indie pub with great cocktails. Nice outdoor seating area that is open until midnight. Beer: NOK 34 weekday nights before midnight. �
Hard Rock Cafe, Karl Johansgate 45 (T-bane, tram 13-19 or bus 30-31-54-70 to Nationaltheatret), ☎ +47-22863000, . Dealing mainly with, as the name suggests, rock nostalgia from the 50's, this should be familiar. Pricey. �
Hell's Kitchen, Møllergata 23, Youngstorget corner of Møllergata (Tram 11-12-13-17 or bus 30-31-34-54 to Kirkeristen/Nygata/Brugata). pizza and music, lots of beer and cocktails. Brilliant place that once was the heyday of hipness, a reputation it has to leave to its own basement (The Villa) and Revolver, just down the street. Still a good corner to drop into. �
Highbury, Bogstadveien 50, . Official Arsenal supporter pub in Norway. �
Kampen Bistro, Bøgata 21 (Bus 60 to Kampens park or T-bane 1-2-3-4 to Ensjø), . Great food and affordable beer in a local restaurant in Kampen, one of the most picturesque residential areas of Oslo. �
Oslo Ocean Bar, Trondheimsveien 20, . a neighborhood bar customers, mostly returning, at every time of the day (from 8AM...). The staff is great! The service is impeccable despite the low prices and the very unpretentious surroundings (and clientele).500ml beer: NOK 40. �
Palace Grill, Solligata 2 (just by Solli plass (tram 12,13 or bus 21,30,31,32 to Solli/Lapsetorvet)), . In addition to the gourmet restaurant (see above) the palace also includes a separate bar with nice drinks and concerts every Monday, plus the 3-story outdoor seating area "Skaugum" with lots of concert during summer. �
Robinet, Mariboes gate 7b. A little gem of a bar that serves some of the best drinks in town. It's not much more than a hole in the wall, so don't expect to get a seat. The bartenders (who are often a bit moody, so no music requests!) play everything from free jazz to krautrock to gangsta-rap on the sound system. �
Südøst, Trondheimsveien 5 (Bus 30-31, tram 17 to Heimdalsgata). A short walk from the Anker hostel, this place has become quite fashionable. Lovely outdoor seating, great (but a tad expensive) food and a marvellous dining room.500ml beer: NOK 52. �
Teddy's Soft Bar, Brugata 3A (Tram 11-12-13-17 or bus 30-31-34-54 to Brugata, T-bane to Grønland). Established in 1958, this is the only bar in Oslo that's protected by cultural authorities, due to its true '50s setting with original interior. This is where the rockabilly cats and kittens hang out and low-key rock and film stars lurk in the corners. Teddy's brought milk shakes to Norway, but sadly they've stopped serving those. They do serve beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks and various coffee drinks. And you can have lunch or late breakfast (omelets, eggs & bacon, sandwiches) or dinner (nice burgers, soups). Music provided by an original Wurlitzer jukebox with mostly '50s and '60s hits.500ml beer: NOK 52. �
Tekehtopa, St. Olavs plass. (Tram 17-18 to Tullinløkka or bus 37 to Nordahl Bruns gate), . Lovely cafe serving beer, wine, drinks and small dishes in a fabulous former pharmacy. (Tekehtopa spelled backwards, apotheket, actually means "the pharmacy" in Norwegian.) One of the prettiest cafes around! Adjoined by Bar Babylon, an industrial-style club with wonderful back yard seating.500ml beer: NOK 52. �
Two Dogs, Brugata (Tram 11-12-13-17 or bus 30-31-34-54 to Brugata, T-bane to Grønland). English-style football pub with big screen, jolly atmosphere and darts.500ml beer: NOK 49. �
Verkstedet, Hausmannsgate 29 (Bus 34-54 to Jacobs kirke. On the right hand side of Cafe Sara). Nice rock bar with a cozy and great backyard which it shares with Cafe Sara. The club also has a stage, where both local and foreign acts do appear. At the weekends the club transforms into a rock disco, where you can dance to great rock music. The bar dishes up with great coctails and unlimited amounts of beer, both on tap and bottles. �
Zen Spiseri og Cafebar, Vogts gate, Torshov (Tram 11-12-13 to Biermanns gate, then continue for 300 metres), ☎ +47 22 38 30 38, . A mysteriously stylish interior for a dive bar, dishing out some of Oslo's cheaper beer. Laid-back, relaxing atmosphere, usually draws a somewhat older crowd. Small menu with passable food.500ml beer: NOK 39. �
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Oslo
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Oslo - updated Apr 2024
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